Wood Flour Moulding Technology: Implications for Technical Education in Nigeria

Abstract

The intent of this article is to demonstrate how wood waste called sawdust orwood flour can be transformed by plastic moulding machine into items ofeconomic value. Wood flour is wood reduced to very fine particle form. It canbe waste product from saw mills, wood working plants or produced fromselected dry wood by grinding. Interest in this modern industrial practice inwood anchors around the high level of unemployment among the youths inNigeria. This unemployment is attributable to great emphasis placed onwhite collar jobs to the detriment of psychoproductive skills. In an effort tosolve this problem, the informal sector has taken up the challenge throughentrepreneurial exploits, and set small scale industries of concern. One suchindustry suggested in this article is the wood flour woulding industry which isyet to gain prominence outside laboratory experience. Wood flour mouldingprocess converts wood particles or wood flour into functional products liketoilet seats, trays, coasters, tool handles, toys and other novelty items; woodflour moulding technology minimizes atmospheric pollution, reduces cost ofwood waste disposal and curbs, unemployment among youth.